Triple option will test Bulldogs

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast strongest test of the season so far is all that much more challenging because of the way Holmes comes at them.

The final non-division game on the schedule features two of the last four unbeaten MACJC teams, and Gulf Coast's opponent will come at it running the triple option.

"They're going to slam that fullback in between the tackles 25 or 30 times Thursday night, then they have a lot of stuff built off that," Gulf Coast coach Jack Wright said. "It's a completely different mindset, which means we have to change our mindset."

The teams kickoff Thursday at A.L. May Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m. The game will be streamed at https://livestream.com/MGCCCBulldogs/events/8366055 and can be heard at SuperTalk 103.1 FM.

Holmes has a pair of last-minute wins to its credit, having beaten Copiah-Lincoln 29-28 on a last-minute field goal by Connor McKay and Jones County 25-23 on a 34-yard touchdown reception by Demarcus Johnson from Jesse Wilson.

Coach Jeff Koonz's team is averaging 222.5 yards rushing with a balanced attack.

"They don't make a lot of mistakes," Wright said. "They're a very well-coached football team. They're very hard-nosed and they play fast."

Gulf Coast's learning curve under a first-year coaching staff requires attention to detail and concentration from the time the personnel groups are called on the sideline before each play until the whistle blows to start the cycle over again.

Wright said his team had lapses on both sides of the ball in those respects the first two weeks, and the punishment for those mistakes figures to be more severe this week.

There has been evidence of improvement in areas of coaching emphasis in big wins against Mississippi Delta and Coahoma. Starting running back Terrion Avery (So., Stone/Wiggins) didn't get in the end zone in a 52-0 win in the first game.

"I'm proud of Terrion," Wright said. "He didn't score against Delta. He had a few quality runs. We challenged him as a coaching staff to finish runs. That doesn't mean always scoring touchdowns, but it means getting as many yards as possible off a run. He responded to that challenge."

Avery scored three times in last week's rainy 46-21 victory on the road.

Preventing Holmes from scoring will require strong defense. Wright is confident his team has the talent and scheme to do so.

"That's what the challenge is this week, to play as a unit, not to try to stand out and be special and make every play," he said. "We need them to play assignment football, stay in their gaps and make the plays when it comes your way. When we do that, we're pretty good."

Game #3

WHO: MGCCC (2-0) at Holmes (2-0)

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 13, 7 p.m.

WHERE: A.L. May Memorial Stadium, Perkinston

ONLINE: Watch https://livestream.com/MGCCCBulldogs/events/8366055

LISTEN: SuperTalk Mississippi 103.1 FM 

The Series

Series record: Gulf Coast leads 34-24-2

First Meeting: 1927

Last Meeting: Sept 5, 2013, MGCCC 36, Holmes 7

Notes: Gulf Coast has won six straight in the series, dating back to 2004 … MGCCC is averaging 45.0 points in the streak, allowing 15.2 points … Gulf Coast has shut out Holmes six times in series history … Gulf Coast won 11 straight games between 1967 and 1986 … Holmes' longest win streak is three (1949-51, 1994-98)

For more information on MGCCC's 10 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.